The two approached the hospital doors and walked back toward the room where Sai had stayed. As they came to the girl’s door, Sai glanced down the hall and saw Mel tidying up his old room. For a second, he considered that he might have forgotten something and thought of heading back to check. This thought faded quickly with the realization that everything he owned was on his person.

  Turning back to the girl’s room, he realized the door was closed this time around. This sudden realization caused him to hesitate. What if this was the wrong room? What if she had already left?

  Exasperated with this waiting, Amy reached around him and gave a quick knock on the door. The voice that came from the other side surprised them both.

  “Come in.” The voice was deep and masculine. Sai looked back at Amy curiously before pushing on the creaky door.

  The ?rst thing Sai noticed when entering the room was a tall, slender man with a book hanging from his hip, just like Amy. Its bright blue cover caught his attention and caused him almost instinctively to put his guard up.

  “Hello.” The new tome user spoke calmly and methodically as Sai entered. Looking up from the book, Sai noted the man's long, grayish-blonde hair, which hung down over his right eye. His left eye, the only one visible at the time, was a deep brown, and stared at Sai with condescension. Sai took a small step back, bumping into Amy and stepping on her foot in the process.

  “Hey, watch it, Sai! What are you doing?” She suddenly caught a glimpse of the man standing before them. “Alister? What are you doing here?”

  The man spoke again, “Amelia, I’m surprised to see you. Does Cylus have you running errands again?”

  This clearly angered her. “I’m not running errands. I’m actually on a vital mission! Now again, why are you here?”

  “If you must know, I came here to try to gather information on the attack at Dione. Apparently, Michelle lived there and was present the night of the attack.” He gestured in the direction of the bed. “I ?gured she may be a person of interest.”

  “You don’t think I realize that!? I was there, Alister! I'm the one who saved her and Sai!” She was practically shouting as she pointed in Sai’s direction. He stood beside her, clearly confused by this turn of events.

  “Sai? This is him, hmmm? “Alister pointed at him. “This is the boy you've been prattling on about for weeks?” Laughing, he continued. “Go home, Amy. I have actual work to do, and you are in over your head.”

  Amy’s face ?ushed with fury. “Shut your mouth, Alister! Cylus sent me to get Sai, and I’m here to bring this girl back with us as well.” The tension in the room was reaching a fever pitch.

  “Now, now, Amelia, you know what Cylus says about that temper of yours. What’s that word he uses to describe you? Started with an A, I believe.”

  “Don’t you dare!” She shouted.

  Alister brushed her comment off. “But, I suppose I won't stand in your way since you’re running errands for him. This one seems less than helpful anyhow, considering the state she’s in.” Alister turned smugly and pushed past Amy to take his leave. As he exited, he gave Sai a sharp look. “Nice to finally meet you.” His words dripped with sarcasm as he took his leave.

  Amy banged her hand on the door frame. “Ugh! That guy is the absolute worst!” She groaned.

  Sai placed his hand on her shoulder. “Who was that? Clearly, you know each other.”

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  She shook him off before glaring at him. “Alister, he’s an inquisitor from the Citadel. I just don’t understand why he was here. Cylus asked me personally to come here. Why would he even make the trip?” Amy mulled this over.

  Sai shrugged as they considered what had just transpired. “Ummm, hi.” A meek voice cut through the silence between them.

  Turning toward the voice, Sai felt a twinge of guilt. They were so caught up in their conversation that they had completely forgotten about the girl they had come to see.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Hello, I’m Sai.”

  “You’re the boy from that night. The one who saved me.”

  Sai nodded. “Well, kind of. I pulled you from the building, but Amy’s the one who actually saved us in the end.” He gestured in Amy’s direction, and she stepped forward.

  “Hey!” With a half grin, Amy waved nonchalantly.

  “Well, thank you. I appreciate it. I’m sorry that you got yourself hurt saving me.” The girl looked down at the crutch Sai carried.

  Sai walked over to one of the chairs seated in the corner of the room and took a seat. “Don’t apologize! I ran in of my own accord. I’m just glad we made it out okay.”

  The girl looked up with a shy smile and nodded. “I’m Michelle, by the way.”

  “Sai. It’s nice to of?cially meet you.” He replied with a smile.“Ahem!” Amy cleared her throat and looked over at Sai.

  “Don’t forget why we’re here.”

  “I haven’t.” With a sigh, he continued. “Michelle, I’d like you to come with Amy and me,” Sai explained his memory loss and how he thought she could help with information on Dione.

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “You will?” Amy seemed surprised. “That was easy.”

  “Oh? It’s just I’m here today because of you. Plus, I think someone I’m looking for may be there.” Michelle replied.

  “Sorry, Sai just took a bit more persuading to get him to agree.” Amy smiled wryly. “Something about wanting to stay here for some reason; what was it again, Sai?”

  Michelle looked over at him, his face slightly red.

  “Isn't it about time we got going?” He changed the subject as he stood from his chair.

  Amy grinned and nodded. “Yeah, we should go.”

  With a nod, Michelle pulled off her covers and climbed out of bed. She was slightly paler than Amy, and her ?gure was fuller as well. She wore a light grey tunic and loose-?tting pants to match. Sai recognized the clothing. They were the same as the ones the hospital had provided him within his ?rst few days there.

  Noticing the clothes, Amy spoke up, “Oh, you don’t have any other clothing, do you?”

  Michelle looked down at the dull-colored fabric and frowned. “No, everything I had was either damaged or destroyed.”

  “Hmm.” Amy raised her hand, and what looked like a red, pseudo-translucent menu appeared before her ?ngers. Words such as “inventory,” “status,” and “tome” decorated each tab. Tapping on the inventory tab, another box appeared, and a few quick taps later, a stack of neatly folded clothes materialized in Amy’s hands. “Here, try these.”

  The interaction menu seemed wrong to Sai somehow, but he couldn’t put his ?nger on why.

  Michelle took the folded pile and nodded with a smile. Then the two of them stood quietly as if waiting for something. Sai stood there obliviously. He looked over to Amy only to realize she was glaring at him.

  “Well? Are you going to leave so she can change or…?”

  Sai felt his face getting hot as he grasped what was happening. “S-sorry! It didn’t even register!” He turned quickly and stood outside the door.

  A short time later, the door opened, and Amy stepped out. Following quickly behind her was Michelle. Sai was at a loss for words as he took in the totally new girl who stood before him. She wore dark leggings covered in light silver armor that ran from her knees to her ankles. Her torso was covered by a long sleeve shirt that resembled the one Amy had brought Sai but in green instead of blue. Covering half her chest and left arm was another piece of armor that resembled the kind that covered her legs. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, making her blue eyes seem even more striking.

  “Rude to stare, you know. You about ready?” Amy placed a hand on Sai’s shoulder as she stepped past him. Sai caught his composure and followed as Michelle passed him as well.

  Holland caught them as they headed down the hall. “Are we ready to go?” He questioned, looking over both of his patients. In unison, the two nodded. “If you ever ?nd yourselves in need of my services, please don’t hesitate to come back.” Holland smiled and let them pass on their way to the front door.

  Turning back, Sai spoke, “Thanks for everything, and tell Mel thank you as well.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Holland waved them away as he made his way back down the hall.

  The three marched off in the opposite direction and headed for the door. Together, they walked out into the mid-morning light toward the waiting city of Iapetus.

  “No turning back once we leave town. Hope you have your affairs in order.” Amy said as she turned to face them. “Either way, time to go.”